Kaleb stood tall in the moonlight, his skin gleaming with sweat and blood, his chest rising and falling with steady power as he watched Rhiannan and Arwen embrace.
He smiled.
"You're not touching her," Arwen snapped suddenly, pulling her behind him.
Kaleb tilted his head slightly. "I just saved all your asses. Might want to rein in the territorial bullshit."
Arwen sneered, "We don't know you, Wolf! You could be a rogue for all we know!"
Kalebs Beta growled in Arwens direction, scowling, "His parents are our Alphas and Kaleb is our future King, we would die for him!" The wolves in the area thumped their fists against their chests in unison in agreement of their loyalty to Kaleb.
Kaleb crossed his deliciously muscled arms across his naked broad chest and grinned, "What was that again.....kitty?"
Arwens eye flashed dangerously and he growled low in warning, flexing his fingers as his panther claws retracted out. He said slowly. "Call me kitty. One more time."
Kaleb grinned wickedly and started to whisper, " Kitt..." When Rhiannan stomped up and slapped her hand across his mouth. Her eyes flashed and she snapped, " I am already fucking over this alpha hole horseshit!! You both will shut the hell up and someone will get me some food before I gouge eyeballs out with a spoon!"
She glared at Kaleb and Arwen angrily, daring them to cross her. Kaleb whimpered lightly and nodded once. Turning and heading into the shadows.
"Come on, goddess," he called back. "Let me show you my world"
Rhiannan grasped Arwens hand tightly as they followed Kaleb muttering under her breath about possessive alpha hole bullshit.
The walk through the woods took hours, but Kaleb's pack found them before the sun rose. A dozen white wolves surrounded them silently, protective but not aggressive. They moved like a single organism, eyes glowing with reverence when they saw Rhiannan.
A woman with long braided hair and deep brown skin shifted mid step, her clothes swirling around her like magic. She approached Kaleb with eyes like a storm.
"Mother," he said.
"Kaleb," she replied, touching his face. "You brought her."
The woman turned to Rhiannan and smiled. "My name is Amira. Welcome home, child."
"I'm not your child," Rhi muttered.
"You will be," Amira whispered. "You already are."
The pack compound was built into the trees, wooden structures with glass walls, rope bridges, and glowing lanterns. It buzzed with energy, wolves weaving in and out, laughter echoing like music. It was... warm. Intimate.
Too fucking much.
Rhiannan felt her walls creeping up. This was something she'd never do experienced. This home type environment. More memories of her abusive foster home childhood has begun to come back to her and she was desperately burying them all, trying not to face it. She'd never been surrounded in love like this. Kaleb had grown up with this. What if she wasn't good enough for him? What if he didn't want her or love her because she was damaged? Her eyes welled up with tears suddenly and Arwen squeezed her hand softly. "I'm here little moon. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Those simple words meant everything and she sighed with contentment looking up at him adoringly.
Kaleb's father, a towering older man named Jorik, met them at the main hall. He hugged Kaleb so hard the man grunted, then pulled Rhiannan into an unexpected embrace.
"By the stars, you're real," Jorik said, eyes glistening. "The silver star has returned."
"Great," Rhiannan muttered. "Now I'm a fuckin' constellation." She was uncomfortable with to much touching and these wolves were sooo touchy.
Kaleb's siblings rushed over next, a younger brother named Remi, all long limbs and awkward grins, and twin sisters named Sol and Sera, both glowing with moon kissed mischief.
Sol whispered, "We're gonna braid your hair."
Sera added, "And paint your toenails."
"I will bite you," Rhi warned. She huffed with exasperation, allowing them to manhandle her with a patience she didn't know she possessed.
They just giggled as they braided.
Then came the Beta Dax. Built like a tank with hair the color of ash and a quiet vibe that said I could kill you with a spoon.
"Kaleb," he grunted.
"Dax."
They nodded. Men.
The Gamma was more flair, her name was Raelin, a tall, muscled beauty with long white curls and a sword longer than her damn leg. She bowed to Rhiannan, eyes sharp.
"I serve the goddess."
"No pressure," Rhi muttered. This Goddess stuff was already super overwhelming and she was about as overstimulated as she could be.
The Commander of the Wolf Army, a grizzled wolf named Grath, eyed Rhiannan with suspicion. "She'll need to be trained."
"She trains herself," Kaleb growled. "Back the fuck off."
Rhiannan growled in response, "I'm from the mortal realm, Earth and I trained in their military. I trained men and women. Also don't tell me what the fuck to do." She glared at him with those big brown eyes.
Grath grunted. "I like her already."
Everyone was touchy. Hugging. Nuzzling. Sniffing.
"I swear to moonlight, if one more person sniffs me, I will lose my shit," Rhi snarled.
The wolves chuckled. This was their way.....physical, primal, loyal.
But not everyone was happy.
Lettie Silver, draped in glittering pink robes, sauntered into the courtyard with venom in her eyes. Barbie bitch energy radiated off her. She was so angry. Kaleb was hers. She has claimed him at the Moon Dance last year, even though he always avoided her, she knew deep down he wanted to make her his Luna. Her grandiose idea of power has twisted her up inside so much, that she sadly couldn't see the truth.
"Well isn't this just precious," she purred. "Another little stray the Alpha picked up. How original. You're just a slut."
"Back off," Sol snapped angrily.
But Lettie wasn't done. She turned to Rhiannan, lips curled. "Just know... this is my pack. My future. My Kaleb. I'll kill you if you touch what's mine!"
Rhiannan stepped forward, bare feet silent on the stones, power buzzing under her skin. This girl was obviously confused. They may not have sealed the bond yet, but Rhiannan felt in her soul, Kaleb was HERS. She would fight for what was hers. She smiled slowly.
"Touch me, and I'll end you with a smile, Barbie." Her snarl was vicious. A promise.
The pack held their breath.
Lettie responded snarkily, "Just you wait you little goddess bitch, he'll only use you for your power, breed you then toss you aside!" Her eyes shot daggers at Rhiannan.
Rhi scoffed and laughed loudly, "What is it with all you fucking weirdos wanting to breed me? Touch my man and I'll strip your skin off with my teeth bitch!"
Kaleb stepped between them. "Lettie. Out of my sight. We are not together, we never were. We never even hooked up! You drugged me and took photos of us together while I was unconscious!" He roared. He was disgusted by this display. He wouldn't touch this wolf female with a ten foot pole. Even his wolf gagged in his head. No way. There was no way he would let this troll ruin what he could have with his Goddess.
"Alpha, Kaleb...please! I can be better, You cant possibly want this trashy little whore over me!" She whines, trying to look sexy as she batted her overly made up eyes at him.
He laughed coldly. "I have never wanted you Lettie. All you crave is power. Get her out of my damn sight NOW!" The ground shook with his bellow.
Lettie stormed off before the guards could drag her but her eyes burned with murderous promise. Rhiannan knew this wasn't the last they'd see of this one. Her obsession was dangerous. She glared at Kaleb, "Any more insane exes that think I'm a breeding mare?"
Kaleb hit his knees and bowed his head, surprising the shit right out of Rhi. He said strongly and without hesitation, "I have been with women in my life, but I have never touched that woman Rhi. And from now on, I'll never touch another but you. My loyalty is unwavering." He remained on his knees and looked up at her.
Her gaze softened as she cupped his chin. "Stand up Alpha, you don't bow to me. And I believe you. You speak truth and I appreciate your candor." She grinned at this absolutely beautiful man, so overwhelmed that he was hers that she could barely containe her excitement as her center flooded with heat and she blushed as she became aroused.
Kaleb growled low in his throat, dangerous. He sniffed the air and she realized with horror that he could smell her arousal. She groaned in embarrassment. He smiled, sexy and slow. "Don't be embarrassed my goddess. I'll have you screaming my name before the night is over."
Her eyes widened at the thought of that and she immediately thought of Arwen, guilt crashing over her. He would be so hurt. She didn't know how to handle this shit, multiple men. She sighed. She would have to take it as it came.
Arwen gave her a slight nod from where he stood, as if he knew and understood her dilemma and she silently thanked him and blew him a kiss as he headed off to find food.
That night, Kaleb led Rhiannan to a balcony under the stars. The moons glowed.
"You're safe here," he whispered. "You can let yourself breathe."
She wanted to.
But her past whispered too loud.
"I don't know how," she admitted. She was scared. Hesitant. Unsure of everything and still didn't have all her memories back.
Kaleb leaned in, brushing his fingers down her arm. "Then I'll remind you."